There still are free agents who interest them - notably restricted free agent Jamario Moon, a younger player in the Hill mold. But the Celtics canít afford Moon unless his price significantly drops.

Their best shot at anyone with a straight-up offer is the biannual exception.

A league source said yesterday the Celtics have investigated sign-and-trade possibilities with other teams - a scenario that could theoretically work in a move for Moon, who finished last season with Miami. The Celts also have expiring contracts of varying sizes to offer.

the celts have a nack for bring the best outta every player, regaurdless if hes starbury or moon. moon will play well if they do sign him and us raptor fans will always wonder where was that kinda hustle when he was on our team.

the celts have a nack for bring the best outta every player, regaurdless if hes starbury or moon. moon will play well if they do sign him and us raptor fans will always wonder where was that kinda hustle when he was on our team.

That's because Moon will have to hustle if he even wants a sniff of the court.

We, on the other hand, were so thin at the three that he could sit his ass on the three point line and utilize none of his athletic ability, yet still get playing time.

Three league sources close to negotiations confirmed that the Celtics explored a now-dead sign-and-trade deal that would have sent Glen Davis to Miami in exchange for restricted free agent Jamario Moon. The plan never got off the ground because both young players fall into a dreaded category known as base-year compensation.